Murder On The Orient express (2017)

Great visuals and fun characters kept things interesting and fun during the first half. The train slowed to a stop in the third act, eventually pulling into the station with a less than satisfying finish. You do what you can with the source material. Camera work made up for some of it.

Rating: C

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

Charming old timers return to remind us that getting old doesn’t have to mean giving up. Quaint, but not as original as the first film.

Rating: C

Philomena (2013)

Better than I thought it would be. I prefer Steve Coogan when he’s in non-comedic roles. Judi Dench is brilliant as usual as the old lady. Best picture nominee? No. But I satisfying British film based on a true story.

Rating: C+

My Week With Marilyn (2011)

This is the type of film I tend to put off seeing because I think it will be dull or overly dramatic, but I enjoyed it. Terrific performance by Michelle Williams as Marilyn.

Rating: C+

The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

The sequel to Pitch Black, with more connections to the first film than I anticipated. Plenty of action to hold your attention. A pretty good follow-up.

Rating: C+

Quantum of Solace (2008)

I had high expectations following the fantastic rebirth of James Bond. Sadly, they were mostly unfulfilled in this complicated mess of intrigue and chase scenes. The plot was all over the place, and then they had to go and throw in a bunch of explosions at the end, as if to let the audience know the old days were coming back.

I can't bear the thought of returning to bimbo rocket scientists and ridiculously named villains. I guess Casino Royal was just a fluke to get people hooked again. Well it won't work. No more opening weekend ticket prices for me. You'll be lucky to get a DVD rental out of me in the future when it comes to new James Bond pics.

Rating: C

Die Another Day (2002)

And to think I heard people saying this was the best James Bond in ages. XXX with Vin Diesel had more realism than this phoney bologna special f/x spectacle. Plot? Who knows. Some North Koreans want to cross the border using a sun powered phaser. I give up.

There was some talk a while back about a few rouge indie directors making their own versions of 007, but I think they got shut down by the anal bond franchise family. That's too bad, cause I would love to see a new spin on the series.

Rating: F+

Chocolat (2000)

A delight to watch. Makes you feel good after it's over. Great performances and a cute story. Johnny Depp is at his best with Lasse H. at the directors' helm. They do good work together.

Rating: B+

Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall opens with a ridiculous chase scene between Bond and an unknown bad guy. At this point in the film, I have zero emotional investment, so my eyes are glazing over as motorcycles hop across rooftops like it’s the interstate.

This is the kind of chase scene that takes months to shoot, requires dozens of stuntmen, and an IQ lower than 7 to believe any of it is possible off screen. A good action film needs to be realistic enough so that I can at least give them the benefit of the doubt that what they are showing me is conceivable in real life. Otherwise, it’s pure fantasy and I could care less which characters live or die.

Frankly, I expected more from a Sam Mendes helmed Bond movie than rehashed plots and generic gun-play.

Rating: C-

Jane Eyre (2011)

I generally keep my distance from British period pieces, but I made an exception for Jane Eyre. It was directed by Cary Fukunaga, the man behind my favorite film of 2009: Sin Nombre. With a background in cinematography, both are rich in picturesque scenery. Fukunaga excels at creating interesting characters as well, and bringing out superb performances from his actors. Jane Eyre is a lovely, sad, intellectual, and restrained film. I look forward to everything else this director endeavors to make.

Rating: B

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

A charming literary adaptation from John Madden, filmed on location in India, starring the who’s who of golden aged British actors. Heavy on characterization and dialogue, without lulling you to sleep. The cinematographer did not try to whitewash India as a mystical wonderland. It’s gritty and busy, yet not without its charms. Sure, they tied everything up in a neat bow at the end, but sometimes that’s exactly what we want.

Rating: B

Casino Royale (2006)

I've been continuously let down by the Bond franchise for some time now. Big explosions, big plot holes, and big boobs do not make for a good movie. Apparently I wasn't the only one complaining, because the stiffs holding the keys to 007 finally got their shit together and recruited some real writers and a solid director.

The result is a fantastic action/thriller with a Bond who doesn't have to ham it up to hold the audience's attention. Technically, this is an R rated movie, so be prepared for some high quality action and violence. Let's hope this trend continues.

Rating: B